Trip report

Zealand-Bonds Backpack Traverse

Backpacking DATE: 11/12/2016 - 11/13/2016

Trip/Event Location: Twin Mountain, NH
US

Trip Leader(s): shep5

Max # People: 6

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Strenuous

READ CAREFULLY...THIS BACKPACK REQUIRES A HUT RESERVATION BEFORE SIGNING UP...SEE LINK UNDER LODGING!!

Join me for one of my favorite hikes in the White Mountains...a trip across the Bonds through

...
Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

From Routes 93, take Exit 32 for Lincoln:  At the end of the ramp, take a left onto Route 112 East (Kancamagus Highway) and travel for 5.1 miles to the Lincoln Woods parking lot.  It will be signed and on the left.

From the intersection of Routes 113 and 112 in Conway, travel 30 miles west on Route 112 (Kancamagus Highway) to the Lincoln Woods parking lot.  It will be signed and on the right.

It's a rather large parking lot, but look for a Hyundai Elantra (with me standing nearby). 

Once we're all together, we will carpool up to the Zealand Road.

GPS Users:  44.063449, -71.589189 (Kancamagus Highway; Licoln, NH)


Trip Report/Photos
Featured Photo

On Saturday, November 12th, Robert, Richard and I met up at Lincoln Woods at 11AM in order to spot a car for our traverse.  We then carpooled over to the Hale Brook Trailhead on Zealand Road.  We arrived at about 11:45 and after getting ready we started up the trail.  It was just before noon and it was mostly sunny with little wind.  It was chilly out, but we quickly warmed as we made our way up the trail.  There was a dusting of snow on the ground.

With the leaves off of the trees, there was a decent view of the Sugarloafs.  In about 45 minutes and after crossing a couple of brooks there were more and more sections of the trail, which were covered in ice.  We could easily avoid the ice and even though we were carrying microspikes, they weren't necessary.  The trail steepened to a fairly persistant grade.  As we climbed, the trail began a series of switchbacks and there were partial views through the trees of the surrounding peaks, including Mt. Washington.  At roughly 1:30PM we reached the summit of Mt. Hale (4054').  Even though this summit was surrounded by a ring of trees, it was cold (probably in the upper 20's).  We asked another couple up there to snap our photo and we almost immediately started down the Lend-A-Hand Trail to make our way out to the AMC Zealand Hut.  Again, this trail was icy in spots, but was easily managed.  On the way off of the peak, we found a small clearing in the sun, where we had a brief snack.  There are some southward views from this trail, as the trail goes over some ledges and clearings.  We made good time and by 3:20 we had reached the junction with the Twinway Trail (AT).  It only took about 4 minutes to reach the hut from there.

The Zealand Hut was already buzzing with a couple of large groups already there.  We checked in and got our bunks situated.  We then relaxed and took in the views from the hut and falls.  Before dinner Robert and I played "Pass the Pig"...a great backpacking game, which Martin (wildcat) had introduced us to during a recent trip across the Pilot Range.  We got dinner (Robert was the only one of us, who actually cooked, where Richard and I had brought dehydrated meals).  After dinner, it was very social where everyone just kinda chatted and passed leftovers.  Some of the groups really went all out in cooking...one group made a huge amount of chili and another group had made a pesto pasta dish.  It was also someone's 40th birthday, so freshly baked brownies were shared...so good!  Lights out were at 9:30PM and we all turned in shortly before that time.

In the morning, we all got up at just before 5AM.  It was still dark, but we got our gear and moved into the common room for breakfast and to prepare for the day.  It was mostly just us and one other guy, who was hiking out to Mt. Zealand.  Most of the people here were just having a rather simple, social hut weekend.  We had our breakfasts and were ready to hit the trail at 6AM.  It was before sunrise, but there was light beginning to show along the horizon.  As we headed up the trail (back along the Twinway), we needed our headlamps for about 15 minutes and then there was sufficient light.  There were areas of patchy ice, but again we really didn't need additional traction.  By 6:45AM we reached the short spur trail for the view off of Zeacliff.  It was overcast, but the views were still wonderful over Zealand Notch and southward towards Mt. Carrigain.  We continued on as the trail headed over a couple of subpeaks on the way to Mount Zealand.  After passing the spur trail for Zealand Pond the trail steepened up a rocky area assisted by a ladder.  The trail again moderated after this point.  By 7:45AM we reached the short spur trail for the Zealand summit (4260').  It was only a couple of minutes to reach this un-remarkable summit.  Upon returning to the main trail, we ran into the guy, who we had met at the hut along with a group, who had spent the night at the Guyot Campsite.  We chatted for a bit and then continued on.  The trail descended steeply for a bit as we made our way down to the col.  The trail then began to climb again up to the summit of Mt. Guyot (4580').  At this point the trail emerged from the trees and out onto a more talus-type ground (8:40).  The views were great, but there was still some lifting clouds, which were covering the tops of the higher peaks...Garfield was quickly clearing, as were the Bonds.  It was incredibly windy though and after turning onto the Bondcliff Trail, there seemed to be periodic gusts well over 30 mph.  It was difficult to stand as we hiked over the shoulder of Mt. Guyot.  After this point the trail descended back into the trees, which was a nice reprieve.  We passed the junction for the Guyot Campsite at a little after 9AM and within about 10 minutes later we reached the junction for the West Bond Spur Trail.  We dropped our packs and headed out for the summit views.  We summited West Bond (4540') at 9:20.  The winds had subsided somewhat and the clouds were continuing to lift off of the surrounding summits.  The views were wonderful across the Pemigewasset Wilderness!  We took a short break and headed back to the main trail, where we had a short snack.  We were getting cold, while just sitting, so we decided to press on.  It didn't take too long to climb Mt Bond and by 10:15 we were standing on its summit (4698').  There were great views down to Bondcliff and Mt. Washington was beginning to emerge from the clouds.  Again, because of the chill in the air and the periodic wind gusts, we only spent about 10 minutes here.  We headed down off of the summit and it little time, we emerged out of the trees again and out onto the mostly-open ridge, which makes up Bondcliff.  Even though this ridgeline was lower in elevation, we encountered some of the strongest wind gusts along this stretch.  It was seriously difficult to stand at times!  It was absolutely beautiful by this time as the Franconia Ridge and Mt. Washington had finally emerged from the clouds.  By 11:10 we were standing on the summit (4265').  For awhile we were the only ones up here, but after 5 minutes a number of hikers were coming up the trail from Lincoln Woods.  We got a group shot and then started to make our way off of the peak, as we still had a long way to go!  After descending a steep rocky ledge the trail became fairly easy and it winded its way down the backside of Bondcliff.  We reached the brook at the bend in the trail and decided to sit and have lunch.  It was 12:10 and the sun felt good here.  After the break we continued on.  The trail is long, and we finally reached the junction with the old Wilderness Trail (now still the Bondcliff Trail) at 2PM.  From this point the trail is flat and nearly straight as it proceeded along an old railbed.  This dreaded section is not difficult, but is long and boring!  It took us about 40 minutes to walk out to the bridge at the edge of the wilderness.  After this, it was still 3 miles back to Lincoln Woods, where we had left one of the cars.  We all finally reached the parking lot again by just before 4PM.

What a fun time using the hut for the traverse across the Bonds!  It was a beautiful, pre-winter trek across these wonderfully remote peaks...I think the hike put us all in the mood for the upcoming winter season.  We definitely lucked out with great weather for the two days.  Thanks to Richard and Robert for joining me on the adventure!

  There are 67 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)

Members That Participated

shep5

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Jaffrey, NH


United States

Attended
Richardg

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


NYC/Hudson Valley, NY


United States

Attended
Robert.L

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Bowdoin, ME


United States

Attended
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